Latest news with #BrianSchottenheimer
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13 hours ago
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Cowboys Urged To Trade Struggling Tight End
Cowboys Urged To Trade Struggling Tight End originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Dallas Cowboys underwent some considerable offensive personnel changes throughout the offseason. Starting at the Cowboys parted ways with head coach and play caller Mike McCarthy and promoted Brian Schottenheimer to that seat. Advertisement They turned around and addressed some glaring holes on the roster. The trade for wide receiver George Pickens remains the most notable of these, but Dallas also installed rookie Tyler Booker at right guard and brought in an entirely new backfield comprised of rookies and veterans. Dak Prescott remains QB1 though they pursued and acquired Joe Milton III to serve as his new backup. All areas of the offense had some sort of makeover or overhaul besides the tight end position. It appears Jake Ferguson will headline this group once again with Luke Schoonmaker and Brevyn Spann-Ford slotting in behind him. But could the Cowboys offload one of those players to clear the way for another? Spann-Ford has been gaining momentum this offseason and has Schottenheimer believing in a big jump next season as he detailed in his press conference last week. Advertisement "This guy is not just a run blocker and a pass protector. This guy can be a weapon because of his size in the middle of the field, matched up on linebackers and safeties... He's already made the jump." For that reason K.D. Drummond of Cowboys Wire has urged the Cowboys to explore a trade for Schoonmaker. "For the Cowboys, the trades have all been about bringing in young talent, but perhaps it's time they consider cashing out on a drafted prospect the same way other teams have. The Cowboys should heavily consider seeing if there's a trade market for tight end Luke Schoonmaker." Schoonmaker has not lived up to the billing of a second-round pick. Despite that draft value, is there really a reason to send him away? Advertisement The idea of trading a low-usage player to add some draft capital sounds good in theory. But there really is no market for him out there. Schoonmaker may not be a No. 1 option and perhaps Spann-Ford surpasses him at training camp later this summer. At the same time, tight end depth has provides value in the form of insurance if Ferguson gets injured and misses time. Dallas needs the supporting cast pieces able to do some of the dirty work or step in when their number's called. Schoonmaker may be penciled into that spot next season but it does not mean the Cowboys need to find an off ramp. Related: Ex Cowboys Defensive Coordinator Mike Zimmer Scores Unexpected Prize Related: George Pickens Is '99.9 Percent Perfect' Move To Cowboys Optimism This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
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13 hours ago
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Jerry Blocks Cowboys From One Move To 'Perfect' Offseason
Jerry Blocks Cowboys From One Move To 'Perfect' Offseason originally appeared on Athlon Sports. We don't like to throw the word "perfect" too loosely around here, and when it comes to the Dallas Cowboys, nothing has been close to perfect for decades. Advertisement But this offseason, one could say, has been perhaps the most promising in recent memory. From the free agent signings to the draft haul and then the trade for George Pickens, it has been a solid couple of months for new head coach Brian Schottenheimer. Yet there is one thing that is sticking in our paw: Micah Parsons' contract saga. With the "Lion" set to become the highest-paid non-quarterback in football, getting this deal over the line on time and not having it drag out is what fans want. And for SI's Gilberto Manzano, Dallas' offseason won't be complete until Micah signs on the dotted line. "Dak Prescott has a knack for pushing the ball downfield (he's developed fine in that area) and Pickens will see favorable matchups playing next to CeeDee Lamb, who will now likely see more snaps from the slot position," Manzano wrote. Advertisement "However, this near-perfect Cowboys offseason goes beyond the trade for Pickens. Dallas again prioritized the offensive line with the first-round selection of guard Tyler Booker, the replacement for the recently retired Zack Martin. And the defense could be better with the arrivals of rookies Donovan Ezeiruaku and Shavon Revel Jr. "Still, this won't be a perfect offseason until the team locks down Micah Parsons with a contract extension." And we it's said "the team'' needs to do it? What we all mean is that "Jerry Jones needs to do it.'' Micah Parsons (left) And Brian Schottenheimer (right)Tony Fisher Is that a fair assessment? We think so. The offensive line was bolstered with Booker, plus defensively with Ezeiruaku and Revel Jr, if those three picks "hit," then Dallas is off to the races. Advertisement Plus, CeeDee Lamb had a genuine running mate, and the Cowboys have filled out the roster reasonably well with running back now no longer the punchline for jokes. Still, this is all a projection, but we are struggling to find more that Schottenheimer could do to improve this team over the past six months (maybe a run-stuffing defensive tackle). It has been about as good an offseason as Schotty could have hoped for, but one thing is stopping it from being great – Micah being unsigned ... which means Jerry picking up the phone to close what figures to be a deal that will make Parsons the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history at over $40 million APY. Get that done, and the Cowboys will be rolling into 2025 with good energy and vibes unlike anything we've seen over the past couple of seasons. Advertisement Related: What Is 'Best-Case' Scenario For Schotty And Cowboys? Related: Cowboys Coach Denies Caleb Williams Film Rumor This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
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13 hours ago
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Cowboys Rival Assesses Pickens ‘Risks and Concerns'
Cowboys Rival Assesses Pickens 'Risks and Concerns' originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The longer the offseason goes, the more people we are seeing jump onto the George Pickens bandwagon after his trade to the Dallas Cowboys. Advertisement Initially seen as a big "risk" with his fiery on-field antics, coupled with some reported off-field issues regarding team meetings, Pickens has been a model citizen at The Star during OTAs and minicamp. Granted, we haven't seen Pickens go through adversity on the field yet – that will come, but right now, there is a big shift in what people think Pickens can do in 2025. For one AFC personnel man, Pickens might have landed in the exact right spot. "He'll be a big piece there," the personnel man said via ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. "When he's covered, he's really open. I know the concerns are there, but I think having an already established passing game with veterans to help him along, and the fact he's in a contract year, will help keep him in line. If you can tap into what he can do fully, his major ability will shine through." George Pickens in front of AT&T Tony Fisher We have already seen Pickens' ability shine through at The Star, with his connection with Dak Prescott in good order, not to mention how he has attacked learning Brian Schottenheimer's scheme. Advertisement Training camp will provide a good checkpoint to re-evaluate Pickens, because as we know, once the pads come on and it gets a bit tense, that's where we will see if Pickens can demonstrate he has matured. Still, many are coming around to what Pickens can do for Schottenheimer's offense, and if he can stay on the straight and narrow, along with CeeDee Lamb, Dallas' newest receiver might have many people eating humble pie come season's end. Related: Cowboys Predicted To Feature Two 1,000-Yard Receivers for Dak Related: Cowboys Urged To Trade Struggling Tight End This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
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3 days ago
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Cowboys 'Jaded' Fans Wonder What's A 'Successful' Season In 2025?
Cowboys 'Jaded' Fans Wonder What's A 'Successful' Season In 2025? originally appeared on Athlon Sports. High expectations can sink a team quicker than just about anything, and for the Brian Schottenheimer-led Dallas Cowboys, high expectations aren't exactly new. Advertisement Granted, this will be a new-look team, with several new faces on both sides of the ball, coupled with an overhauled coaching staff. As a result, Dallas will look a little different in 2025. But the expectation will remain the same - to win the Super Bowl. Now, is that realistic? Even the most hardened Cowboys fan will struggle to say yes to that. Still, success can be defined in other ways, because if you base whether Schottenheimer and Dallas have a good season on whether they win the Super Bowl or not, you might need to adjust your expectations. But what about making the playoffs? Or better yet, winning a playoff game? Advertisement Matt Verderame, playoff success is step one for Schotty. "For Schottenheimer and the Cowboys, this can only be a successful season if it involves a trip to the postseason, and preferably one that includes advancement," Verderame writes. "Otherwise, it's more of the same for a fan base growing increasingly jaded and impatient." Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Davis-Imagn Images We're not sure any national writer can have the pulse of an entire "jaded'' fan base. Let's talk about the now ... Right now, given the state of the NFC and the division, if Dallas makes the playoffs, it would mean Schottenheimer and Co. have acquitted themselves well in the NFC East with the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders. Advertisement Plus, it would see the Cowboys navigate a brutal stretch of games that includes the Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles Chargers, and Commanders. We think Cowboys fans, for the moment, would take that. However, let's remember that Schotty will have more than a year to get this thing properly rolling. Nevertheless, there can be no 7-10 season; there has to be progression. Yes, a Super Bowl would be nice, but given where this team is, given the roster and the changes that have happened over the past six months, making the playoffs and sneaking a win would be a good return. Advertisement And for some, give Schotty a pass mark in Year 1. Related: Elam Following in Dad's Footsteps with Cowboys Related: Cowboys Coach Denies Caleb Williams Film Rumor This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
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4 days ago
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Cowboys Starting Lineup Predicted After High-Energy Offseason
Cowboys Starting Lineup Predicted After High-Energy Offseason originally appeared on Athlon Sports. FRISCO - All we've heard about from Dallas Cowboys minicamp is the energy. Players are battling it out in locker room competitions. Coaches are hootin' and hollerin' as music blares on the practice field. Players - in full-roster attendance throughout the program - are going as hard as they can in workouts. Advertisement This is winning over the minds of the Cowboys fans who were skeptical of Brian Schottenheimer's hiring and his "best culture in sports history" gimmick. So far, he's holding up his end of that statement, but this football team still has a ways to go in winning over fans' hearts after last season's unfortunate 7-10 performance. A lot of that progress has to be done on nature's timing in the rehab facility, but there are still questions around certain positions, too. We've scribbled a lot of notes from OTAs and minicamp at The Star, so now that we've hit the dead period that leads us up to training camp in Oxnard... Advertisement What would the Cowboys starting lineup look like if the season started today? Let's dive in. Quarterback Dak Prescott The NFL's highest-paid player has spoken about legacy a lot this week. Off the field, he's perhaps the most stand-up citizen you'll find, but NFL fans - certainly spoiled Cowboys loyalists - don't stamp "legacy" status on charitable efforts. Dak could become one of the Cowboys' all-time leaders in many statistical categories, but he'll always have a cloud hanging over his tenure in Big D as long as his 2-5 playoff percentage stays put. With Prescott healthy after his scary hamstring injury last year, he is as motivated as ever to earn his definition of greatness. Advertisement Running Back Javonte Williams As things stand today it's a toss up with Miles Sanders, who is slightly-older and slightly-less productive at his peak than the well-rounded Williams. We may not know the true RB1 until a few games into the season if we are still left wondering post-camp. Rookie Jaydon Blue from Texas, with his blazing 4.30 speed, will want to throw his name in the hat, but he's a fifth-round pick that needs to earn his stripes first. Wide Receiver CeeDee Lamb George Pickens Jalen Tolbert The top two have all the makings of duo as pristine as a Scorsese film ... but they'll still need to manage their egos through thick and thin, and only real games can prove that commitment. Advertisement The real discussion is at WR3. Tolbert has held this position in Dallas before, giving him the edge at the moment. With Mingo, Turpin, and others also in the mix, this training camp group will be fun to watch. And not just because of CeeDee and GP's cool handshakes. Tight End Jake Ferguson It is "Big Biscuit's" job until he loses it. Ferguson had a rough season in 2024, but a head injury and a backup QB played a part in that. He's poised to see a fresh start this season and return to his Pro Bowl ways ... but if he doesn't... Brevyn Spann-Ford may be lurking... Offensive Line LT: Tyler Guyton LG: Tyler Smith Advertisement C: Cooper Beebe RG: Tyler Booker RT: Terence Steele Amid the other concerns and possible rotations the skill positions, Schotty and offensive coordinator Klayton Adams are hoping this unit holds together. Guyton will draw the most eyes as he's due for the most improvement. Beebe and Steele are comfortable in their spots, and Smith is a budding star and All-Pro up for a massive new contract. He could be good enough to move to tackle if there is a need to shuffle. Schottenheimer and staff have already tinkered with this idea... Defensive Line EDGE: Micah Parsons DT (3 tech): Osa Odighizuwa DT: (1 tech): Mazi Smith Advertisement EDGE: Dante Fowler Jr. The two ends are each capable of high sack totals, but defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus could get creative on how he deploys them to complement one another throughout the season. Like it or not ... Dallas still believes in Mazi. This is a "make it or break it" season for the third-year big man. Expect a lot of concerns with depth if Smith can't make that leap as a reliable mainstay next to Odighizuwa. Linebackers Kenneth Murray Jr. Jack Sanborn It's killing me not to find a starting spot for Marist Liufau, but know that he will see plenty of reps if 'Flus goes to a 4-3 now that the Cowboys don't have a true nickel cornerback. Advertisement Either Murray or Sanborn are expected to be the green dot guy. As the defensive play-caller, it will be whoever the staff is confident in staying on the field the most. They each offer more experience than the second-year Liufau, so that's why they earn equal starting projection for now. The return of DeMarvion Overshown will throw a wrench into this entire plan, but if that isn't until Thanksgiving, it's important to formulate something. Defensive Backs CB: Kaiir Elam CB: Caelen Carson NB: DaRon Bland FS: Malik Hooker SS: Donovan Wilson Bland is the Cowboys' best cornerback with Trevon Diggs injured. Because he is the most reliable, he could be the leading candidate to fit in at that crucial nickel spot - his versatility and experience there offers a bit of confidence. Depending on their production, I wouldn't mind Bland staying there and Diggs taking over for youngster Carson on the boundary when he's back. Advertisement The Cowboys have been singing the praises of Elam so far this offseason, so he seems to have a firm grasp on a starting spot, but he'll still need to prove Dallas' trade worthwhile. As mentioned above, linebacker-whisperer Eberflus could load the box and deploy just Bland and Elam on the outside while Diggs is sidelined. Rangy defenders like Parsons, Liufau, Donovan Ezeiruaku, and others could cover the middle. This is a lot of food for thought, but don't chew it all too fast. Training camp in late July could easily change this lineup in a lot of ways. But through it all, we're most expecting the energy to remain the same. Advertisement Related: Cowboys Depth Chart Taking Shape In Major Update Ahead of Training Camp Related: ESPN Wonders If The Real Dak Will Please Stand Up for Cowboys This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
